Excitement builds for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as UAE confirms Mohammad Wasim as its captain for the India-Sri Lanka co-hosted extravaganza starting February 7. The star batter’s appointment underscores UAE’s intent to elevate their game on the biggest stage.
Wasim’s captaincy record shines with 66 international outings, complemented by squad mates Alishan Sharafu and Zunaid Siddiqui from the 2022 squad. Past participations in 2014 and 2022 ended in group-stage disappointments, fueling this renewed push.
The coaching setup is elite: Head coach Lalchand Rajput (ex-India), fast bowling maestro Yasir Arafat (72 Tests/ODIs for Pakistan, extensive coaching resume), committed through Ireland and World Cup, and fielding specialist Stanley Chiyoja (Zimbabwe).
UAE clinched qualification by toppling Japan in the 2023 Oman qualifier’s Super Sixes, marking entry number three.
In Group D, challenges await: New Zealand (Feb 10), Canada (Feb 13, Arun Jaitley Stadium), Afghanistan (Feb 16), South Africa (Feb 18). Prep includes Ireland T20s, plus Chennai warm-ups vs Nepal (Feb 3) and Italy (Feb 6) at Chepauk.
Complete team: Mohammad Wasim (c), Alishan Sharafu, Aryan Sharma (wk), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Zunaid Siddiqui, Mayank Kumar, Mohammad Arfan, Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Jawadullah, Mohammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohail Khan, Simranjit Singh.
This strategic overhaul positions UAE not just to compete, but to contend, with Wasim’s guidance and Arafat’s bowling wisdom potentially unlocking their latent potential in T20’s shortest format.